Day 5 - 10th June - Philosopher's Walk, Honen-In, Kyoto (Part 1)
I started off the morning with a stroll along the Philosopher's Walk.
On the bus there, at one stop everyone had gotten off the bus (by the exit beside the driver), when a woman at the bus stop asked him to open the entrance door (at the back of the bus). Gah. Like it'd be so hard to just enter by the exit. Stupid rules.
Stones with bibs
Drain above a drain (clean and unclean water?)
Large, beautiful carp (?) - in the canal (!)
Not very philosophical. It is very different, however, when lined with blooming Sakuras:
Entrance to Honen-In
Gate
Gardens
River
Waterfall
Fountain
Path
Pagoda
The early morning light was quite subdued, resulting in a calm mood
Flowers
Shrine in alcove
Holy footprint
Screen in building
Pagoda and detail
Fruit Kebab (?!)
Contemplating the garden
Roof carving
The darker photo is more faithful, but I like the look of the brighter one as well.
I then left the temple and headed for Ginkakuji.
The road down
Still not very philosophical
Road
I found a little shrine:
And left an ema:
Can you spot what's wrong with it? Hint: there's more than one thing wrong
Addendum: Keywords - 精忠报国, 尽忠报国
Ema were 200Y each (cheaper than the large ones) but payment was via the Honour System.
Bears fishing
At one point, strange, ghostly music suddenly started filling the air. It got louder and louder as its source got closer and closer to me. Filled with dread, I turned on my movie mode:
Damn Japs. Even their Karang Guni is weird.
Tornado potato I had outside Ginkakuji
"This is display. Please, don't eat!" - wth
I had soy sauce and mayonnaise, which strangely enough was just powder (ie no real mayo)